Category Archives: blog

blog, Book planning, Book Releases, NaNoWriMo, Reviews

Thanksgiving Wishes and an Update

November 22, 2018 Lilycat Leave a comment

picture: Happy Thanksgiving

To all my American readers and friends, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving Day. To everyone else, I also wish you a lovely day.

This day, I give thanks for many things. I have a lovely house that I own, I have food on my table, I have my darling pets, and I have my good health. I also have you, my dear readers, and for that, I am especially thankful.

At this time, my thoughts and my heart go out to the people who lost their homes in California this past week. As someone who lives with the threat of a raging fire being a reality at any time, I sympathize with our neighbors in the Golden State. I’ve waited nervously in my house after a fire warning while a brush fire just a few miles down my street threatened our whole neighborhood but was thankfully brought under control before we had to load the pets and get to the nearest shelter. To think that you don’t have time to grab anything before you have to flee is terrifying. I just hope I never have to be in the position those people in California are in. Peace and strength to them and I know they are grateful to be alive.

Upcoming Books

On a different note, I am almost to the end of NaNoWriMo for this year. Although it’s sometimes frenzied writing, I enjoy the challenge of writing thousands of words a day during the month. This year, I completed one novel, wrote the last three chapters of one I had dangling (under another pen name) and started the second book of the series for the one I wrote, Feels amazing to be that productive.

The completed book is Escape to Green Leaf Junction, the first of a fantasy trilogy. (Yes, I know I have another fantasy trilogy that still isn’t complete, but this one spoke to me.) It’s my take on a fae world and on a town that bridges both Earth and that world. It will be a few months before I begin editing, but it will possibly be out toward the end of 2019.

I have a time travel fantasy that I completed during Camp Nano this past July that is being prepped for a May release. I chose May because I’ll be at the Book Lovers’ Convention in New Orleans that month and will be giving out bookmarks for a free download of the book. It is called Time Walker, and I don’t have the cover ready for it yet, so look for the cover reveal to come up around January.

Also on tap is a fantasy novella set in the O’Ceagan’s Legacy universe but featuring one of the supporting characters from that story. Called In Strange Waters, it’s an adventure on Erinnua featuring Dari, the puca, along with his bean sidhe (banshee) companion, Sheilan. I am currently editing the book and hope to release it in February. More on that next month.

So, prepping for release, I have In Strange Waters and Time Walker. (Wait until you see the gorgeous cover for Time Walker.)

In editing mode, I have Escape to Green Leaf Junction.

Currently writing, I have the untitled 2nd book of the Junction Series.

And just released in October is the last book of my Funeral Singer series titled A Song of Redemption. This is a tense, exciting wrap-up to the series. And if you read through to the end, there’s a surprise waiting for you.

What I’m Currently Excited About

I just finished reading Annette Marie’s second book in her The Guild Codex series, which is Dark Arts and a Daiquiri.

If you haven’t discovered this terrific writer yet, what are you waiting for? This new series is fun, exciting, and a fast-moving read that will grab you by the throat and not let go until the very end. I first started reading her with her Steel and Stone series and fell in love with her writing and the characters. If you like sidekicks with snark and charm, you’ll want to check out Lyre, who becomes one of the main characters of her Spell Weaver series, which is my personal favorite.

Her Red Winter series strikes a totally different tone and draws on Japanese mythology for a fantastic book with compelling characters and situations that will put your heart in your throat. I can’t say enough about this woman’s writing.

Seriously, if you want a terrific fantasy novel, you can’t do better than Annette Marie’s books. Every one of them will draw you in.

Until next time, stay safe, be grateful for what you have, and be kind to people.

blog, Book Launch, Book planning, Book Promotion, NaNoWriMo

New Release on October 22, 2018

October 13, 2018 Lilycat Leave a comment

I am so excited to announce that the 5th, and final, book in the Funeral Singer series, A Song of Redemption will be released on Monday, October 22nd. I’ve loved working on this series, and I think the final book is an explosive and exciting wrap-up to Gillian Foster’s story.

A Song of Redemption

At a loss and depressed following her team’s failure to contain Belphegor, Gillian Foster begins to pull herself together to plan her next moves and build a network of other spirit escorts to help her. The threat of the soul thieves grows daily and thrusts the need to stop them solely on her.

When a horrifying attack on her friend brings the problem home leaving Gillian’s life in turmoil, she struggles to control the damage. Working with Orielle, the anthropologist, who is an expert on supernatural creatures, they soon find support from an unexpected source—the Vatican.

The path ahead is clear; the tasks to be done defined. Now all Gillian has to do is execute them and stay alive.

The Kindle book is now listed for pre-order at 99-cents on Amazon.

To celebrate the release, I am putting all five of the Funeral Singer books, including this new one, on sale for 99-cents each. It’s a great time to pick up the set for a total of $4.95. The books will be at this price from October 22 to October 24.

Next Project

Once this novel is out, I will be prepping for this year’s NaNoWriMo and getting my plot lined up for a new book. I have two ideas that I am trying to narrow down for this project, and I am excited about both. More on that after I get into the writing.

In the Works

I have two books that are in the editing process right now. One is a related book to O’Ceagan’s Legacy, which is to say it’s in the same universe but features one of the supporting characters in the book. That book is In Strange Waters, and I plan to release it in January 2019. Look for more information in December. It’s a little different from O’Ceagan’s Legacy, but it is a fun read with a different viewpoint.

The other book is Time Walker, a fantasy novel that combines time travel with a touch of Steampunk. The planned release date for it is in May 2019 to coincide with the Book Lovers’ Convention in New Orleans. The story combines adventure and a bit of romance… But look for more about that in March 2019.

blog, Book planning, Book Promotion, Book Releases

Book Progress and Promo

September 6, 2018 Lilycat Leave a comment

Wow! I can’t believe I haven’t posted anything since April when I released “A Song of Forgiveness”. I have been busy these past few months though and I am in the final stages of the fifth book of the “Funeral Singer” series, “A Song of Redemption”, which is now planned for release on October 22, 2018. This will wrap up that series so I hope you’re ready for it to end. I’ve loved writing Gillian’s adventures, but I have other projects I am eager to work on also.

One of them is a new book that I wrote this summer that involves time travel and a touch of steampunk. It’s a fun story and I had a great time with it. In May, I went to a master plotting workshop with Cherry Adair and came out with lots of tips, ideas, and a novel almost ready to be written. In July, I made it my summer Camp NaNoWriMo project and completed the first draft. I’m ready to begin the first round of edits now. At this time, I am anticipating a late Spring release.

Another book that needs to be edited is set in the same universe as “O’Ceagan’s Legacy” and explores the Erinnua home world through they eyes of a new arrival. The story is written and ready to edit. I just need many more hours in my days.

Reflections on 2017

December 31, 2017 Lilycat Leave a comment

As 2017 draws to a close, I’m taking a little time to reflect on the positive aspects of a somewhat disturbing year.

First and foremost, thank you to everyone who has read my books, posted comments or reviews, and given me encouragement over the past few years. A pall settled on the creative energy early on and at times, writing proved to be a struggle rather than the exciting, energizing activity it usually is. Your encouragement kept me going. So, once again, my deepest gratitude.

My goals were loftier than my accomplishments, but I am proud of what I did manage to achieve. While I had hoped to release three books, I only managed to edit and publish one of them, Funeral Singer: A Song of Betrayal.

My YA book, Dew Dropping Hour, an urban fantasy novel, is still in rewrite phase as I am not happy with the pacing of the book and putting it through my critique group is a slow process. But I’ll rework it until I’m happy with it rather than release something that isn’t the best it can be.

The third book I’d hoped to release is in the O’Ceagan Saga universe. I wrote the draft in November 2016, but haven’t touched it since. That’s now on my list for the current year. It’s actually an interim novel that features the puca rather than the O’Ceagan characters, but they are in the story.

Also on the schedule for this year is the fourth book of the Funeral Singer series, which is written and awaiting editing. I plan to have that released in the spring and if all goes well, the last book in that series will be out in the fall. Of course, my schedule is always subject to the whims of life.

To top it off, I just purchased a new cover that caught my eye. So many talented artists are making gorgeous covers that I need to restrain myself. But this one called out to me and I couldn’t resist. All I can say is that it appears I will be writing a time travel and/or steampunk novel in the near future. Not the first time I’ve been inspired by a cover.

Along with author Margaret McGaffey Fisk, I did an Earth Day Fair in the spring and a small Comic-Con in Reno, Nevada to meet people and peddle books. Margaret, her husband Colin, and I comprised a panel on Immortality as seen by Hollywood. That was fun and drew a few more people to our table.

On the personal side of life, I did a little traveling and relaxing. In February, I met my brother and his wife in Cancun, Mexico to celebrate his birthday. Great fun, warm, and so beautiful.

Cancun to NYC theater to LA Highlander Convention – great memories…

In April, I enjoyed a trip to New York City, met with a couple of friends, and saw three Broadway musicals. We took in “Come From Away”, “Natasha and Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” with the amazing Josh Groban, and “The Bandstand”, a new American musical set just after World War II and featuring swing music. Awesome theater!

In October, I had a great time in LA at a Highlander the Series Convention with many of the actors, directors and other creatives from the series. Wonderful to catch up with everyone, old friends and new.

When you reflect on 2017, I trust your year has many special memories also. I hope the coming year will bring good times, memorable moments, and more happiness than trouble. Happy 2018 to everyone!

Lily

blog, NaNoWriMo

In the press of NaNoWriMo

November 6, 2017 Lilycat Leave a comment

It’s November 6th and I’m working on my fourth NaNoWriMo novel. This year my project is the 4th book of my Funeral Singer series. Two previous novels in it were written during NaNo. Last year’s novel is in the O’Ceagan’s Legacy series, and sadly, it is still in the edit pile along with Dew Dropping Hour. I tend to impose deadlines on myself and right now, completing the Funeral Singer series is right at the top of my list. There will be one more book in the series to bring it to five total. But more about that later.

In this post, I want to toss out my top 7 methods to surge past the infamous writer’s block. I actually compiled these for the most recent High Sierra Writers’ newsletter, so if you’re already seen them, then move along.

There’s really no such thing as writer’s block, you know. You just have to do it. And there are some techniques that work for me. If you’re stuck trying to write something, give them a try and see if they won’t help you past the road block. However, the writer’s block at the top of the page can be a serious hindrance.

7 Tips to Break Writer’s Block

From the experiences of Rene Averett

As I’m starting my 4th year of NaNoWriMo, I’m planning to complete the first draft of my next novel. I have “won” every year so far and have every expectation of completing 50,000 words plus quite a few more in November. Even while doing NaNo, writer’s block can set in. I have a few techniques I use to get past them so I will share my top 7 tips for anyone else to try.

1. Change writing mediums: If you’ve been typing on a keyboard, try writing with paper and pen. I find that it triggers my mind into using my creative side and words tend to flow more easily as my mind shifts modes. After a page or so of writing longhand, I can usually get back into the flow of the story and to the computer.

2. Move around: Get up, take a walk, or do something physical for about 15 minutes. Your brain may just need a break. Put on some music and dance or exercise. Sometimes this includes getting up and feeding the cat.

3. Refresh and ask questions: Get a cup of coffee or a glass of water and allow your mind to think about the scene. Ask yourself questions about it. Maybe you haven’t planned it well enough. Ask the basic reporter’s questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? If you can answer them, then you might trigger the next part of your story or you can write a character back-story scene that gets you going again.

4. Take time for play: Play a game or do something creative, such as sketching, drawing, or cooking. Once again, this provides a break and allows your brain to work on the next part of your book.

5. Skip over the scene and go to one that is clearer in your mind: This works well if you’re a plotter. Often when plotting, you add scenes that you’re looking forward to writing while others are part of the necessary lead-up to that great scene. If the lead-up isn’t coming together, jump to the scene you’re really wanting to write. This often sorts out the troublesome scene in the process.

6. Turn off your inner editor: Easier said than done, but seriously, editing uses a different part of the brain and stifles creativity. Let your creative side go and just write.

7. Dream on it: If you’re having trouble with a scene, think about it before you go to sleep. Your brain will work on it while you’re sleeping and you’ll probably have the solution in the morning.

Hope these tips help you if you find yourself staring at the same line of your computer screen for a long time.

Lillian's Loft